The Long Beach Press-Telegram has published the final high school football rankings for the 2026 season. These standings reflect the positions teams held in the CIF Southern Section rankings at the conclusion of the regular season. St. John Bosco and Long Beach Poly finished at the top of the list, holding the number one and number two positions respectively.
St. John Bosco, the Braves, concluded the regular season with a 7-3 record. The team finished third in the Trinity League and secured an automatic playoff berth. Offensively, senior running back Maliq Allen led the team in rushing with 1,063 yards and 16 touchdowns. Junior quarterback Koa Malau’ulu contributed 2,155 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
Long Beach Poly, the Jackrabbits, held the second spot with a 6-4 record. The team won the Moore League and earned an automatic playoff spot. Sophomore quarterback Trevor Scott became a key player after transferring from Mater Dei and becoming eligible. In his four games with the program, Scott threw for 1,120 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Downey, the Vikings, ranked third with a 6-4 record. The team finished second in the Gateway League and earned an automatic berth. Junior running back Max Acosta was the leading rusher, accumulating 719 yards and seven touchdowns. Los Alamitos, the Griffins, placed fourth despite a 0-10 record, finishing last in the six-team Alpha League and missing the Division 5 bracket.
La Mirada, the Matadores, maintained the fifth position with a 7-3 record. The team finished third in the Gateway League and earned an automatic playoff berth. Senior running back Josiah Fregoso led the team in rushing. Millikan, the Rams, jumped from 11th to sixth place with a 3-7 record, finishing second in the Moore League. Junior running back Ryan Carter was the team's leading rusher.
St. Pius X-St. Matthias, the Warriors, ranked seventh with a 3-7 record. The team finished tied for second in the Angelus League but lost a coin flip for an automatic playoff berth, ending their season. Paramount, the Pirates, moved up from fourth to eighth place with a 9-1 record. Under first-year coach Malik James, the team won the Mid-Cities League. Junior quarterback Elijah Quinonez threw for 2,474 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Warren, the Bears, ranked ninth with a 5-5 record, finishing fifth in the Gateway League and missing the Division 7 playoffs. Bellflower, the Buccaneers, rose from eighth to tenth place with a 7-3 record. The team finished second in the Mid-Cities League. Senior quarterback E’Lacion Saxton threw for 2,815 yards and 34 touchdowns, while freshman receiver Keondre Smith recorded 78 catches for 1,446 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Lakewood, the Lancers, ranked 11th with a 4-6 record, finishing third in the Moore League and missing the Division 8 playoffs. Valley Christian, the Defenders, moved from ninth to 12th place with a 6-3-1 record. The team finished tied for second in the Ironwood League. Senior quarterback Graham Lunzer recorded an area-high 50 touchdowns, split between 35 passing and 15 rushing.
Compton, the Tarbabes, ranked 13th with a 9-1 record, winning the Hub City League. Edward Rivera, a commit to Sacramento State, scored an area-high 28 touchdowns. Wilson, the Bruins, ranked 14th with a 2-8 record, finishing fourth in the Moore League. Gahr, the Gladiators, held the 15th spot with a 6-3-1 record, finishing third in the Gateway League. Senior defensive lineman R’shon Livingston recorded 57 tackles, including 12 for loss.
The remaining teams in the rankings include Cerritos, Mayfair, Dominguez, St. Anthony, Artesia, Cabrillo, Norwalk, Jordan, Centennial, Lynwood, Firebaugh, Glenn, and Compton Early College. Dominguez, the Dons, ranked 18th with a 6-4 record, finishing second in the Hub City League. Senior running back Darrell Frazier led the team in rushing. Artesia, the Pioneers, ranked 20th with an 8-1 record, winning the Rio Vista League. Junior running back Justin Pettus ran for 991 yards and 14 touchdowns. Centennial, the Apaches, earned the final at-large playoff berth in Division 14 with a 5-5 record, finishing fourth in the Hub City League.
